AIC's 43rd Annual Meeting

Conservators working within small to medium-sized organizations may not have the resources of larger institutions to design a conservation laboratory that serves those performing treatments and maintains the health and safety of the practitioners. The situation is more urgent for conservators in private practice who may have to consider the well-being of family members sharing in-home studio space. Led by architects and engineers from EwingCole, who specialize in designing cultural heritage facilities, this session will review priorities and set realistic goals for improving common, at-hand work spaces ranging from in-home studios to larger rented commercial spaces.

The panel will address strategies for achieving local exhaust ventilation, storing chemicals, and ensuring adequate electrical and fire safety infrastructure. The presentation will identify conditions and work habits that preclude safe work space, such as HVAC and plumbing systems cross-linked between work area and home or uncontrolled work with open flames or volatilizing solvents.

The session will include a review of case studies of real-world studios in a candid discussion that identifies what’s working well and what can be changed to improve safety and predictability. EwingCole will also address practices and/or situations that can (or should) never be done in certain locales.

Extended Question and Answer sessions, plus Meet the Expert stations, will allow attendees to actively participate in the discussion and seek advice.